That’s Baby Step 1. After that comes your debt snowball, which is Baby Step 2. Here, you’ll pay off all your debts from smallest to largest — except your home.

Dear Gerard, That’s exactly what you should do. I’m sorry to hear about your health issues, but at the same time, I hope you’ll make sure you’re only pressing the pause button on Baby Step 2.

Dear Dave: I recently experienced a medical emergency and unexpected hospital stay. I’m about halfway through Baby Step 2, and I’m paying off my debts using the debt snowball system.